Tilt bucket assembly for an excavator

ABSTRACT

An assembly for an excavator includes a bucket having coupling flanges spaced apart from each other. The coupling flanges extend upwardly from a top wall of the bucket and laterally between side plates of the bucket. Each coupling flange has an aperture. The assembly also includes a linkage assembly coupled to the bucket and configured to tilt the bucket relative to an arm of the excavator. The linkage assembly includes: a top mount configured to be fixedly releasably coupled to the arm of the excavator; a shaft fixedly coupled to the top mount and received in each of the apertures such that the bucket is pivotally coupled to the shaft; a drive lug coupled to and depending from the shaft between the coupling flanges; and a linear actuator coupled to the bucket and the drive lug to pivot the bucket about the shaft.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to buckets for excavators, and morespecifically, to hydraulic tilt bucket assemblies for excavators.

BACKGROUND

Excavators may be equipped with several different types of implements toperform different tasks at a work site. For instance, excavators may beequipped with a tilting implement, sometimes referred to as a tiltbucket or a tilt bucket assembly, to perform tasks where it isadvantageous for a bottom edge of the bucket of the excavator to beangled, such as but not limited to ditch cleaning and sloping or gradingsurfaces.

Current tilt bucket assemblies for excavators are designed to improvethe ease with which material may enter the bucket or be dumped from thebucket, but generally do not take into consideration the need to protectthe hydraulic cylinders, lines, or tubing that connect to the bucketassembly from the excavator and provide for the bucket of the assemblyto tilt relative to an arm of the excavator.

Hydraulic cylinders, lines and/or tubing are typically exposed to theenvironment in which the implement is being used, including but notlimited to deep holes and other ground recesses, and therefore prone todamage. Damage to hydraulic cylinders, lines and/or tubing is a concernfor operators and owners of excavators as they can be difficult andexpensive to fix and damage thereto can lead to significant down timefor the excavator.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved tilt bucket assemblies thatovercome one or more of these problems.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a broad aspect, a tilt bucket assembly for anexcavator is described herein. The tilt bucket assembly includes abucket having first and second coupling flanges spaced apart from eachother. The first and second coupling flanges extend upwardly from a topwall of the bucket and extend laterally between first and second sideplates of the bucket to define a compartment therebetween. The firstcoupling flange defines a front wall of the compartment and the secondcoupling flange defines a rear wall of the compartment. The firstcoupling flange has a first coupling flange aperture and the secondcoupling flange has a second coupling flange aperture aligned with thefirst coupling flange aperture. The tilt bucket assembly also includes alinkage assembly coupled to the bucket. The linkage assembly isconfigured to be releasably coupled to an arm of the excavator and totilt the bucket relative to the arm of the excavator, The linkageassembly includes a top mount configured to be fixedly releasablycoupled to the arm of the excavator; a shaft fixedly coupled to the topmount, the shaft being received in and extending between the firstcoupling flange aperture of the bucket and the second coupling flangeaperture of the bucket such that the bucket is pivotally coupled to theshaft; a drive lug configured to be fixedly coupled to and depend fromthe shaft at a first position between the first and second couplingflanges of the bucket; and a linear actuator having a first end coupledto the top wall of the bucket and a second end fixedly coupled to thedrive lug, the linear actuator being movable between a retractedposition and an extended position to pivot the bucket about an axis ofthe shaft.

In at least one embodiment, the linear actuator is contained within thecompartment.

In at least one embodiment, the tilt bucket assembly also includes oneor more protective covers configured to couple to the first and secondcoupling flanges and cover the shaft, the drive lug and the linearactuator.

In at least one embodiment, the second end of the linear actuator iscoupled to the drive lug at a position between the first coupling flangeand the second coupling flange.

In at least one embodiment, the drive lug includes a mounting portionconfigured to fixedly couple the drive lug to the shaft and a distalportion configured to fixedly couple the drive lug to the linearactuator.

In at least one embodiment, the distal portion of the drive lug includestwo depending portions to rigidly couple the drive lug to the linearactuator.

In at least one embodiment, the mounting portion of the drive lug has anaperture configured to receive and surround the shaft.

In at least one embodiment, the mounting portion of the drive lugcomprises a u-shaped portion to be received by a squared-portion of theshaft.

In at least one embodiment, the tilt bucket assembly further includesone or more side covers coupled to the first coupling flange and thesecond coupling flange, the one or more side covers being configured tocover at least a portion of the linear actuator.

In at least one embodiment, the linear actuator is a hydraulic cylinder.

In at least one embodiment, the linkage assembly includes: first andsecond drive lugs configured to be fixedly coupled to and depend fromthe shaft at respective first and second positions between the first andsecond coupling flanges of the bucket; and first and second linearactuators each having a first end coupled to the top wall of the bucketand a second end fixedly coupled to one of the first and second drivelugs, the first linear actuator being movable between a retractedposition and an extended position to pivot the bucket in a firstdirection about the axis of the shaft and the second linear actuatorbeing movable between a retracted position and an extended position topivot the bucket in a second direction about the axis of the shaft.

In at least one embodiment, the first and second linear actuators arecontained within the compartment.

In at least one embodiment, the tilt bucket assembly further includesone or more protective covers configured to couple to the first andsecond coupling flanges and cover the shaft, the first and second drivelugs and the first and second linear actuators.

In at least one embodiment, the second end of the first linear actuatoris coupled to the first drive lug at a first position between the firstcoupling flange and the second coupling flange, and the second end ofthe second linear actuator is coupled to the second drive lug at asecond position between the first coupling flange and the secondcoupling flange

In at least one embodiment, the first position and the second positionare spaced apart from each other along the axis of the shaft.

In at least one embodiment, each of the first drive lug and the seconddrive lug include a mounting portion configured to fixedly couple thedrive lug to the shaft and a distal portion configured to fixedly couplethe drive lug to the second end of one of the linear actuators.

In at least one embodiment, the distal portion of each of the firstdrive lug and the second drive lug includes two depending portions torigidly couple the drive lug to one of the linear actuators.

In at least one embodiment, the mounting portion of the first drive lugand the second drive lug has an aperture configured to receive andsurround the shaft.

In at least one embodiment, the mounting portion of the first drive lugand the second drive lug comprises a u-shaped portion to be received bya squared-portion of the shaft.

In at least one embodiment, the tilt bucket assembly further includesone or more side covers coupled to the first coupling flange and thesecond coupling flange, the one or more side covers being configured tocover at least a portion of the first and second linear actuators.

In at least one embodiment, the first and second linear actuators areeach hydraulic cylinders.

In at least one embodiment, the bucket includes a third coupling flangeextending upwardly from the top plate and extending laterally betweenthe first and second side plates, the third coupling flange beingpositioned between the first coupling flange and the second couplingflange.

In at least one embodiment, the third coupling flange is positionedhalfway between the first coupling flange and the second couplingflange.

In at least one embodiment, the shaft includes a set of groovesextending longitudinally along the axis of the shaft, and the top mounthas at least one aperture with a profile shaped to receive the groovesto fixedly couple the shaft to the top mount.

These and other features and advantages of the present application willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, thatthe detailed description and the specific examples, while indicatingpreferred embodiments of the application, are given by way ofillustration only, since various changes and modifications within thespirit and scope of the application will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein,and to show more clearly how these various embodiments may be carriedinto effect, reference will be made, by way of example, to theaccompanying drawings which show at least one example embodiment, andwhich are now described. The drawings are not intended to limit thescope of the teachings described herein.

FIG. 1A is a front view of a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator, thetilt bucket assembly having protective covers, according to at least oneembodiment.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly having protectivecovers of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly having protectivecovers of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a rear perspective view from above of the tilt bucketassembly having protective covers of FIG. 1A at a first tilted position.

FIG. 2B is a front view of the tilt bucket assembly having protectivecovers of FIG. 1A at the first tilted position.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly having protectivecovers of FIG. 1A at the first tilted position.

FIG. 2D is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly having protectivecovers of FIG. 1A at the first tilted position.

FIG. 2E is a front view of the tilt bucket assembly having protectivecovers of FIG. 1A at a second tilted position.

FIG. 2F is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly having protectivecovers of FIG. 1A at the second tilted position.

FIG. 2G is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly having protectivecovers of FIG. 1A at the second tilted position.

FIG. 3A is a rear perspective view of a bucket of a tilt bucketassembly, the bucket being configured to have one linear actuator,according to at least one embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of a bucket of a tilt bucketassembly, the bucket being configured to have two linear actuators,according to at least one embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a front view of a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator, thetilt bucket assembly having at least one of its protective coversremoved to expose components of the linkage assembly thereunder, thelinkage assembly having one linear actuator, according to at least oneembodiment.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly for an excavator ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly for an excavator ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a front view of a tilt bucket assembly for an excavator, thetilt bucket assembly having at least one of its protective coversremoved to expose components of the linkage assembly thereunder, thelinkage assembly having two linear actuators, according to at least oneembodiment.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the tilt bucket assembly for an excavator ofFIG.

FIG. 5C is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly for an excavator ofFIG.

FIG. 6A is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly of FIG. 4A withvarious components of the linkage assembly removed to shown the linearactuator.

FIG. 6B is an exploded rear perspective view from above of the tiltbucket assembly of FIG. 4A showing the shaft of the linkage assembly,according to at least one embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a rear view of the tilt bucket assembly of FIG. 5A withvarious components of the linkage assembly removed to shown the linearactuators.

FIG. 7B is an exploded rear perspective view from above of the tiltbucket assembly of FIG. 5A showing the shaft of the linkage assembly,according to at least one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded rear perspective view from above of the tiltbucket assembly of FIG. 5A including the top mount of the linkageassembly, according to at least one embodiment.

FIG. 9A is front perspective view from below of a top mount of thelinkage assembly, according to at least one embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a rear perspective view from above of the top mount of FIG.9A.

FIG. 10A is front perspective view from below of a top mount of thelinkage assembly, according to at least one other embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a rear perspective view from above of the top mount of FIG.10A.

FIG. 11A is a top down view of a shaft and drive lugs of a tilt bucketassembly for an excavator, according to at least one embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a side view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is an exploded perspective view of the shaft and drive lugs ofFIG. 11A.

FIG. 11D is an end view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a top down view of a shaft and drive lugs of a tilt bucketassembly for an excavator, according to at least one other embodiment.

FIG. 12B is a side view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is an exploded perspective view of the shaft and drive lugs ofFIG. 12A.

FIG. 12D is an end view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12E is a perspective view of the shaft and drive lugs of FIG. 12A.

Further aspects and features of the example embodiments described hereinwill appear from the following description taken together with theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses and methods are described below to provide anexample of at least one embodiment of the claimed subject matter. Noembodiment described below limits any claimed subject matter and anyclaimed subject matter may cover apparatuses and methods that differfrom those described below. The claimed subject matter are not limitedto apparatuses and methods having all of the features of any oneapparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple orall of the apparatuses or methods described below. It is possible thatan apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of anyclaimed subject matter. Any subject matter that is disclosed in anapparatus or method described herein that is not claimed in thisdocument may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, forexample, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s),inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, ordedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in thisdocument.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity ofillustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may berepeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments describedherein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in theart that the example embodiments described herein may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as notto obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, thedescription is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the exampleembodiments described herein.

It should be noted that terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about”and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviationof the modified term such that the result is not significantly changed.These terms of degree should be construed as including a deviation ofthe modified term, such as 1%, 2%, 5%, or 10%, for example, if thisdeviation does not negate the meaning of the term it modifies.

Furthermore, the recitation of any numerical ranges by endpoints hereinincludes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.90, 4, and 5). It is also to beunderstood that all numbers and fractions thereof are presumed to bemodified by the term “about” which means a variation up to a certainamount of the number to which reference is being made, such as 1%, 2%,5%, or 10%, for example, if the end result is not significantly changed.

It should also be noted that, as used herein, the wording “and/or” isintended to represent an inclusive-or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intendedto mean X, Y or X and Y, for example. As a further example, “X, Y,and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof.Also, the expression of A, B and C means various combinations includingA; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C.

The following description is not intended to limit or define any claimedor as yet unclaimed subject matter. Subject matter that may be claimedmay reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements orprocess steps disclosed in any part of this document including itsclaims and figures. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by a personskilled in the art that an apparatus, system or method disclosed inaccordance with the teachings herein may embody any one or more of thefeatures contained herein and that the features may be used in anyparticular combination or sub-combination that is physically feasibleand realizable for its intended purpose.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in developing new tiltbucket assemblies that provide for protecting the components of theassembly that are responsible for moving the bucket relative to an armof an excavator (e.g. including but not limited to linear actuators suchas hydraulic cylinders and/or hydraulic tubing and/or hydraulic hoses).

Herein, tilt bucket assemblies for excavators are disclosed.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, illustrated therein is a tilt bucketassembly 100 having protective covers for an excavator, according to atleast one embodiment. Tilt bucket assembly 100 includes a bucket 102 anda linkage assembly 104 coupled to the bucket 102. Tilt bucket assembly100 is configured to be fixedly releasably couple to an excavator (notshown) via linkage assembly 104.

Tilt bucket assembly 100 includes protective covers positioned toprotect at least some of the components of the linkage assembly 104. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, tilt bucket assembly 100 includestwo side covers 111 positioned on either side of a center cover 113. Thecovers co-operate with the bucket 102 to define a compartment 116 thathouses at least a portion of the linkage assembly 104 (as describedbelow). It should be understood that the protective covers may have adifferent configuration than is shown in the drawings provided that theyco-operate with the bucket 102 to house at least a portion of thelinkage assembly 104.

FIGS. 1A-1C all show the tilt bucket assembly 100 at a resting positionwhere bottom edge 105 of the bucket 102 is level. Herein, the bottomedge 105 of bucket 102 is said to be level when bottom edge 105 is aboutperpendicular to an axis of an arm of an excavator that is coupled tothe linkage assembly 104 (e.g. when the axis of the arm of the excavatoris straight up and down if shown in FIGS. 1A-1C). Tilt bucket assembly100 is configured to tilt (e.g. pivot) the bucket 102 relative to thearm of the excavator. Specifically, linkage assembly 104 is configuredto pivot bucket 102 in one or more directions such that bottom edge 105of the bucket 102 pivots in a clockwise and/or a counterclockwisedirection (when viewed from the front of the assembly) about an axis AAof a shaft 132 of linkage assembly 104 (axis AA is shown in FIG. 2B).Axis AA is vertically spaced from bottom edge 105 and perpendicular tothe axis of the arm of the excavator.

FIG. 2A shows tilt bucket assembly 100 having protective covers 111 and113 at a first tilted position where bucket 102 has been pivoted about45 degrees from the resting position in a clockwise direction (whenviewed from the front) around axis AA of the shaft 132. FIGS. 2B, 2C and2D also show tilt bucket assembly 100 at the first tilted position.Bucket 102 is pivotable to a second tilted position, as shown in FIGS.2E, 2F and 2G, where bucket 102 has been rotated about 45 degrees fromthe resting position in a clockwise direction about axis AA of the shaft132. Accordingly, bucket 102 of tilt bucket assembly 100 has a fullrange of motion about the axis AA of shaft 132 of about 90 degrees,about 45 degrees in each direction (i.e. clockwise and counterclockwise)from the resting position.

FIG. 3A shows a rear perspective view of a bucket 102 according to atleast one embodiment. In this embodiment, bucket 102 is configured toaccommodate a linkage assembly including a one linear actuator. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3B, bucket 102 is configured to accommodate alinkage assembly including two linear actuators. It should be understoodthat bucket 102 may also be configured to accommodate a linkage assemblyhaving more than two linear actuators.

Bucket 102 includes a top wall 106, a curved body wall 108 coupled tothe top wall 106, a first side plate 110 coupled to the top wall 106 andthe curved body wall 108 and a second side plate 112 opposed to thefirst side plate 110 and also coupled to the top wall 106 and the curvedbody wall 108. Top wall 106, curved body wall 108, first side plate 110and second side plate 112 co-operate to define a recess 114 (see FIG.1A) of bucket 102 for retaining material. Further, as noted above,bucket 102 includes a bottom edge 105 extending from the first sideplate 110 to the second side plate 112 along a lowermost portion of thecurved body wall 108.

Bucket 102 also includes a first coupling flange 118 and a secondcoupling flange 120 spaced therefrom for coupling the bucket 102 to thetop mount 104. Each of the first and second coupling flanges 118, 120extends upwardly from the top wall 106. First coupling flange 118 andsecond coupling flange 120 also extend laterally between first sideplate 110 and second side plate 112 (e.g. from first side plate 110 tosecond side plate 112). First coupling flange 118 and second couplingflange 120 provide for pivotally mounting bucket 102 to the linkageassembly 104.

First coupling flange 118 includes a central lobe 119 and two sideportions 121 a, 121 b extending laterally therefrom. Central lobe 119has a first flange aperture 122 therein to receive at least a portion ofshaft 132 for pivotally coupling the bucket 102 to the shaft 132.Central lobe 119 extends upwardly to vertically space the aperture 122from the top plate 106 and, therefore, provide room vertically betweenthe shaft 132 and any components that couple linear actuators 150, 152to the shaft 132.

Similarly, second coupling flange 120 includes a central lobe 123 andtwo side portions 125 a, 125 b extending laterally therefrom. Centrallobe 123 has a second flange aperture 124 therein to receive at least aportion of shaft 132 for pivotally coupling the bucket 102 to the shaft132. First flange aperture 122 and second flange aperture 124 are eachsized and shaped to receive shaft 132 and thereby pivotally mount thebucket 102 to the shaft 132. Second coupling flange 120 may alsooptionally include an opening 127 for receiving at last a portion of thehydraulic components 115 (such as hydraulic tubing 117) and/or providingaccess to compartment 116. Second flange aperture 124 and first flangeaperture 122 are aligned to receive shaft 132 therein. Linkage assemblymay include a rear access cover 128 configured to cover at least aportion of opening 127 and co-operate with the protective coverings toseal off compartment 116.

Bucket 102 may optionally include a third coupling flange 126 coupled totop wall 106 of bucket 102. Third coupling flange 126 may be positionedbetween the first coupling flange 118 and the second coupling flange 120and extend upwardly from top wall 106 of bucket 102. Third couplingflange 126 may include central lobe 129 having an aperture 127 sized andshaped to receive shaft 132 for pivotally coupling bucket 102 to thelinkage assembly 104. Third flange aperture 127 may also be aligned withfirst flange aperture 122 and second flange aperture 124 to receiveshaft 132. In at least one embodiment, third coupling flange 126 may bepositioned about halfway between first w coupling flange all 118 andsecond coupling flange 120 and may be appropriate in embodiments whereshaft 132 of linkage assembly 104 has more than one piece (e.g. has twopieces telescopically received with one another). Third coupling flange126 may extend to the first 110 and second 112 side plates of bucket 102or, as shown in FIG. 5 , may not be coupled to the first 110 and second112 side plates of bucket 102.

FIGS. 4A-4C show one embodiment of a tilt bucket assembly 100 with itsprotective covers 111 and 113 removed to expose at least some of thecomponents of the linkage assembly 104. In this embodiment, linkageassembly 104 includes a single linear actuator 150.

In this embodiment of linkage assembly 104, linkage assembly 104includes one linear actuator (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) 150. Linearactuator 150 has a first end 150 a coupled to top wall 106 of bucket 102and a second end 150 b fixedly coupled to a first drive lug 160. Firstend 150 a of first linear actuator 150 may be coupled to top wall 106via a bucket lug 155 a extending upwardly from top wall 106 and acylinder pin 153 a.

FIGS. 5A-5C show another embodiment of a tilt bucket assembly 100 withits protective covers 111 and 113 removed to expose at least some of thecomponents of the linkage assembly 104. In this embodiment, linkageassembly 104 includes first and second linear actuators 150, 152.

In this embodiment of linkage assembly 104, linkage assembly 104includes first linear actuator (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) 150 and secondlinear actuator (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) 152, as shown in FIG. 4 , forexample. First linear actuator 150 has a first end 150 a coupled to topwall 106 of bucket 102 and a second end 150 b fixedly coupled to a firstdrive lug 160. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, first end 150 a offirst linear actuator 150 is coupled to top wall 106 via a bucket lug155 a extending upwardly from top wall 106 and a cylinder pin 153 a.Similarly, second linear actuator 152 has a first end 152 a coupled to abucket lug 155 b (see FIG. 2C) extending upwardly from top wall 106 ofbucket 102 and a cylinder pin 153 b. Second linear actuator 152 has asecond end 152 b fixedly coupled to a second drive lug 162. Bucket lugs155 a, 155 b and cylinder pins 153 provide for each of the first andsecond linear actuator 150, 152, respectively, to be fixedly coupled tobucket 102.

First and second linear actuators 150, 152, respectively, can be anylinear actuator appropriate for tilting bucket 102 about axis AA. Forinstance, first and second linear actuators 150 and 152, respectively,may each be single acting hydraulic cylinders configured to pivot thebucket 102 about the axis AA in a single direction upon extension, ormay be double-acting hydraulic cylinders configured to rotate the bucket102 about the axis AA in two directions upon extension and retraction.In at least one embodiment, first linear actuator 150 is movable betweena retracted position and an extended position to rotate the bucket 102in a first direction about axis AA of shaft 132. Similarly, secondlinear actuator 152 is movable between a retracted position and anextended position to rotate bucket 102 in a second direction about axisAA of the shaft 132.

Hydraulic components 115 of the tilt bucket assembly 100 (such as butnot limited to one or more hydraulic lines 117 and linear actuator(s)150, 152) provide for linkage assembly 104 to pivot bucket 102 aboutaxis AA (see FIG. 4B). Hydraulic components 115 of tilt bucket assembly100 are configured to be releasably fluidly coupled to correspondinghydraulic components of an excavator such that tilt bucket assembly 100may be interchanged with other implements during use. Hydrauliccomponents 115 of tilt bucket assembly 100 are also configured to bereleasably fluidly coupled to corresponding hydraulic components of theexcavator such that hydraulic components 115 of tilt bucket assembly 100may receive hydraulic fluid from the excavator and an operator of theexcavator may control the pivoting of bucket 102 while operating theexcavator. It should be understood that the hydraulic components 115 ofthe tilt bucket assembly 100 may be configured such that bucket 102 maybe operable at any position between the first tilted position and thesecond tilted position as described above. It should be understood thathydraulic components 115 of tilt bucket assembly 100 may be fluidlycoupled to the hydraulic components of the excavator by any mechanismknown to one of skill in the art. FIGS. 6A-7B, at least, show at least aportion of the hydraulic components 115 including but not limited tohydraulic lines 117 being positioned at a rear side of the tilt bucketassembly 100. Hydraulic lines 117 may be received into compartment 116housing at least a portion of the hydraulic components 115 (described ingreater detail below).

FIG. 6A shows a rear perspective view of the assembly 100 of FIG. 4A-4Cwith the protective covers 111 and 113 removed to show components of thelinkage assembly 104. When protective covers 111 and 113 are positionedon the tilt bucket assembly 100, they combine with the first couplingflange 118 and the second coupling flange 120 to form compartment 116.In this embodiment, compartment 116 is shaped to entirely house thelinear actuator 150 as well as other components of linkage assembly 104,where the coupling flanges 118, 120 of bucket 102 act as the outsidewalls of the compartment 116. Specifically, in the embodiments shownherein, for example, compartment 116 is the volume of space underneaththe two side protective covers 111 and the center protective cover 113when one of the side protective covers 111 is attached to an upper edge136 of side portion 121 a of first coupling flange 118 and an upper edge135 of side portion 125 a of second coupling flange 120, when centerprotective cover 113 is attached to an upper edge 137 of central lobe119 of first coupling flange 118 and upper edge 139 of central lobe 123of second coupling flange 120 and the other of the protective covers 111is attached to o an upper edge 141 of side portion 121 b of firstcoupling flange 118 and an upper edge 143 of side portion 125 b ofsecond coupling flange 120 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

FIG. 6B shows an additional rear perspective view of the assembly 100having a single linear actuator 150 with various components of theassembly removed to view components of the linkage assembly 104.Specifically, FIG. 6B shows a partially exploded rear perspective viewof the assembly of FIG. 4A showing the shaft 132.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show rear perspective views of the assembly 100having two linear actuators 150 with various components of the assemblyremoved to view components of the linkage assembly 104. Specifically,FIG. 7A shows a rear perspective view of the assembly 100 with one sidecover 111 and center protective cover 113 removed and FIG. 7B shows apartially exploded rear perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 5A witheach of the side covers 111 removed and shaft 132 exploded outwardly toshow the various components thereof (described in greater detail below).

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the assembly 100 including a top mount130. Top mount 130 is configured to be releasably fixedly coupled to thearm of the excavator. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 10B, topmount 130 may include one or more upwardly extending members 131 havingone or more apertures 133 for retaining one or more mounting members(not shown) to be grasped by a portion of the arm of the excavator toreleasably couple the arm of the excavator to the top mount 130. Itshould be understood that top mount 130 may include other mechanismsknow in the art for releasably coupling the assembly 100 to an arm of anexcavator.

Linkage assembly 104 also includes shaft 132 fixedly coupled to topmount 130. As noted above, shaft 132 pivotally supports the bucket 102by being received in first flange aperture 122 of first coupling flange118 and second flange aperture 124 of second coupling flange 120. Shaft132 is also fixedly coupled to the top mount 130 via depending members142 and 144, respectively, of the top mount 130 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).First depending member 142 has a first aperture 138 and second dependingmember 144 has a second aperture 140. First aperture 138 and secondaperture 140 are aligned to receive the shaft 132 extendingtherebetween. Shaft 132 extends through first aperture 138 of firstdepending member 142 and second aperture 140 of second depending members144 to fixedly couple the shaft 132 to the top mount 130.

In at least one embodiment, first aperture 138 of first depending member142 is sized and shaped to correspond or marry to an outer surface ofthe shaft 132 so as to fixedly couple the shaft 132 to top mount 130. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the aperture 138 has a circularshape with six notches extending outwardly from a circular core. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the aperture 138 has a circularshape with 12 notches extending outwardly from a circular core.

Two different embodiments of shaft 132 are shown in FIGS. 11A-11D and12A-12E, respectively. In the first embodiment of shaft 132 shown inFIGS. 11A-11D, shaft 132 has a smooth outer surface apart from fourslots shaped to receive a portion of the drive lugs of the linkageassembly.

In the second embodiment of shaft 132 shown in FIGS. 12A-12E, shaft 132includes a set of grooves 141 (see FIG. 7B) extending inwardly from anouter surface of the shaft 132 and longitudinally along axis AA of shaft132. When this embodiment of shaft 132 is included in the tilt bucketassembly 100, first aperture 138 has a profile that corresponds to theset of grooves 141 to retain the shaft 132 in first depending member 142of top mount 130 and inhibit rotation of the shaft 132 relative to thetop mount 130. When the first embodiment of shaft 132 (shown in FIG.11A-11D) is included in tilt bucket assembly 100, first aperture 138 maybe sized and shaped to correspond to a profile of a nut 145 that has aninner surface defining an aperture 146, the inner surface being shapedto correspond to a portion of an outer surface of the shaft 132.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, first aperture 138 of first dependingmember 142 and second aperture 140 of second depending members 144 arespaced apart by a distance BB, so as to create space therebetween alongshaft 132 for first and second linear actuators 150,152, respectively,to couple to shaft 132. In at least one embodiment, distance BB isgreater than a distance CC between the first coupling flange 118 and thesecond coupling flange 120 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), such that the topmount 130 may be coupled to shaft 132 so that first depending member 142and second depending member 144 are positioned outside of first couplingflange 118 and second coupling flange 120, respectively. Accordingly,first depending members 142 and second depending member 144 may bespaced apart from each other by a distance that is greater than adistance between first coupling flange 118 and second coupling flange120. The spacing apart of the first and second depending members 142,144 from each other and the spacing apart of the first and secondcoupling flanges 118, 120 from each other provides room for the firstand second linear actuators 150, 152 to be coupled to the shaft 132 viathe drive lugs 160, 162, respectively, between the first and secondcoupling flanges 118, 120 and for a protective cover(s) to be placedover the shaft 132 and the first and second linear actuators 150, 152.For instance, the protective cover(s) may include centre cover 113configured to be positioned between top mount 130 and shaft 132 (e.g.over shaft 132) and cover at least a portion of the shaft 132 and/orside covers 111 configured to be positioned between top mount 130 andtop wall 106 of bucket 102 to protect t linear actuators 150, 152.

As shown in FIGS. 11A-12E, first drive lug 160 and second drive lug 162each include a mounting portion 164 and a distal end 166. Mountingportion 164 is configured to fixedly couple the respective drive lug160, 162 to shaft 132 and distal end 166 is configured to fixedly couplethe respective drive lug 160, 162 to a respective second end 150 a, 152a of one of the linear actuators 150, 152. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 12A-12E, mounting portion 164 has a circular shape and an aperture165 therein to receive and surround shaft 132.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A-11D, mounting portion comprises amounting yoke 164 having a u-shaped portion 168 that fits into andaround a squared-off portion 169 of shaft 132 to fixedly couple eachdrive lug 160, 162 to shaft 132. It should be understood that otherembodiments of mounting yoke 164 and shaft 132 are possible for fixedlycoupling the drive lugs 160, 162 to shaft 132.

Each of first drive lug 160 and second drive lug 162 extends downwardlyfrom shaft 132 to fixedly couple one of the linear actuators 150,152 tothe shaft 132. First drive lug 160 and second drive lug 162 extenddownwardly from shaft 132 such that each of linear actuators 150, 152couple to shaft 132 at a position below shaft 132.

First drive lug 160 may be coupled to shaft 132 at a first positionalong shaft 132 and second drive lug 162 may be coupled to shaft 132 ata second position. In some embodiments, the first position and thesecond position are the same position. In other embodiments, the firstposition and the second position are spaced apart from each other alongaxis AA of shaft 132. In at least one embodiment, the first position andthe second position are spaced apart from each other along axis AA ofshaft 132 by a spacer 178. In at least one embodiment, spacer 178 mayinhibit movement of the drive lugs 160, 162 towards each other alongshaft 132.

Returning to FIG. 8 , as shown therein, linkage assembly 104 may alsoinclude one or more sleeves 134 to surround a portion of shaft 132within each of first coupling flange aperture 122 and the secondcoupling flange aperture 124 (and optionally third coupling flangeaperture 127) to provide for the bucket 102 to pivot about axis AA ofshaft 132. Each sleeve 134 may include a key 171 sized and shaped to fitwithin one of the set of grooves 141 of shaft 132 to inhibit sleeve 134from rotating relative to shaft 132 when positioned around shaft 132inside of one of the apertures 122, 124.

In at least one embodiment, linkage assembly 104 may include bushings181 positioned inside of flange apertures 122, 124 to reduce frictionbetween sleeves 134 and flange apertures 122,124 as bucket 102 pivotsabout axis AA of the shaft 132.

Linkage assembly 104 may also include a shaft retainer 133 to cover aportion of first coupling flange 118 and retain shaft 132 in firstcoupling flange aperture 122 of first coupling flange 118.

One or more shims 179 may be positioned along shaft 132 between thefirst drive lug 160 and first coupling flange 118 and/or between thesecond drive lug 162 and the second coupling flange 120 to reducefriction between the first drive lug 160 and first coupling flange 118and/or between the second drive lug 162 and the second coupling flange120.

In at least one embodiment, linkage assembly 104 may also include ashaft jacking hole cover 182 that can be positioned on an end of theshaft 132 and cover at least a portion of second coupling flangeaperture 124 to provide access to shaft 132.

Unlike the prior art tilt buckets, where the linear actuators arecoupled directed to the outside of the top mount and are exposed to theenvironment, the subject tilt bucket is configured so that the linearactuators (and, optionally, other components of the linkage assembly)are located in a covered compartment and protected from damage, such asbut not limited to damage caused by contact with rocks and dirt as thetilt bucket is in use.

While the applicant's teachings described herein are in conjunction withvarious embodiments for illustrative purposes, it is not intended thatthe applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments as theembodiments described herein are intended to be examples. On thecontrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated hereinencompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, withoutdeparting from the embodiments described herein, the general scope ofwhich is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tilt bucket assembly for an excavatorcomprising: a bucket having: first and second coupling flanges spacedapart from each other, the first and second coupling flanges extendingupwardly from a top wall of the bucket and extending laterally betweenfirst and second side plates of the bucket to define a compartmenttherebetween, the first coupling flange defining a front wall of thecompartment and the second coupling flange defining a rear wall of thecompartment, the first coupling flange having a first coupling flangeaperture and the second coupling flange having a second coupling flangeaperture aligned with the first coupling flange aperture; and a linkageassembly coupled to the bucket, the linkage assembly being configured tobe releasably coupled to an arm of the excavator and to tilt the bucketrelative to the arm of the excavator, the linkage assembly comprising: atop mount configured to be fixedly releasably coupled to the arm of theexcavator; a shaft fixedly coupled to the top mount, the shaft beingreceived in and extending between the first coupling flange aperture ofthe bucket and the second coupling flange aperture of the bucket suchthat the bucket is pivotally coupled to the shaft; a drive lugconfigured to be fixedly coupled to and depend from the shaft at a firstposition between the first and second coupling flanges of the bucket;and a linear actuator having a first end coupled to the top wall of thebucket and a second end fixedly coupled to the drive lug, the linearactuator being movable between a retracted position and an extendedposition to pivot the bucket about an axis of the shaft.
 2. The tiltbucket assembly of claim 1, wherein the linear actuator is containedwithin the compartment.
 3. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising one or more protective covers configured to couple to thefirst and second coupling flanges and cover the shaft, the drive lug andthe linear actuator.
 4. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 1, wherein thesecond end of the linear actuator is coupled to the drive lug at aposition between the first coupling flange and the second couplingflange.
 5. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive lugincludes: a mounting portion configured to fixedly couple the drive lugto the shaft; and a distal portion configured to fixedly couple thedrive lug to the linear actuator.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The tilt bucketassembly of claim 5, wherein the mounting portion of the drive lug hasan aperture configured to receive and surround the shaft.
 8. The tiltbucket assembly of claim 5, wherein the mounting portion of the drivelug comprises a u-shaped portion to be received by a squared-portion ofthe shaft.
 9. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 1 further comprising oneor more side covers coupled to the first coupling flange and the secondcoupling flange, the one or more side covers being configured to coverat least a portion of the linear actuator.
 10. The tilt bucket assemblyof claim 1, wherein the linear actuator is a hydraulic cylinder.
 11. Thetilt bucket assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage assembly includes:first and second drive lugs configured to be fixedly coupled to anddepend from the shaft at respective first and second positions betweenthe first and second coupling flanges of the bucket; and first andsecond linear actuators each having a first end coupled to the top wallof the bucket and a second end fixedly coupled to one of the first andsecond drive lugs, the first linear actuator being movable between aretracted position and an extended position to pivot the bucket in afirst direction about the axis of the shaft and the second linearactuator being movable between a retracted position and an extendedposition to pivot the bucket in a second direction about the axis of theshaft.
 12. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 11, wherein the first andsecond linear actuators are contained within the compartment.
 13. Thetilt bucket assembly of claim 11 further comprising one or moreprotective covers configured to couple to the first and second couplingflanges and cover the shaft, the first and second drive lugs and thefirst and second linear actuators.
 14. The tilt bucket assembly of claim11, wherein the second end of the first linear actuator is coupled tothe first drive lug at a first position between the first couplingflange and the second coupling flange, and the second end of the secondlinear actuator is coupled to the second drive lug at a second positionbetween the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange. 15.The tilt bucket assembly of claim 14, wherein the first position and thesecond position are spaced apart from each other along the axis of theshaft.
 16. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 11, wherein each of thefirst drive lug and the second drive lug include: a mounting portionconfigured to fixedly couple the drive lug to the shaft; and a distalportion configured to fixedly couple the drive lug to the second end ofone of the linear actuators.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The tilt bucket assemblyof claim 16, wherein the mounting portion of the first drive lug and thesecond drive lug comprises a u-shaped portion to be received by asquared-portion of the shaft.
 19. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 11further comprising one or more side covers coupled to the first couplingflange and the second coupling flange, the one or more side covers beingconfigured to cover at least a portion of the first and second linearactuators.
 20. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 11, wherein the firstand second linear actuators are each hydraulic cylinders.
 21. (canceled)22. (canceled)
 23. The tilt bucket assembly of claim 1, wherein theshaft includes a set of grooves extending longitudinally along the axisof the shaft, and the top mount has at least one aperture with a profileshaped to receive the grooves to fixedly couple the shaft to the topmount.